Fluid distribution device

ABSTRACT

A heat exchanger assembly including a first manifold extending along an axis between first manifold ends and including an inner wall presenting an interior. A fluid distribution device is disposed in the interior of the first manifold and includes an inlet tube extending along the axis from an inlet end to a distribution end. The inlet tube presents a plurality of apertures spaced circumferentially from one another and spaced axially from the distribution end for dispensing the refrigerant in a radial direction out of the inlet tube. The fluid distribution device further includes a collar surrounding and spaced radially from the inlet tube and extending axially in both directions axially from the apertures of the inlet tube for redirecting into an axial direction the refrigerant flowing in the radial direction out of the apertures to evenly distribute the refrigerant across the interior of the first manifold.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

A heat exchanger assembly for transferring heat between a first fluid and a second fluid.

2. Description of the Prior Art

U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,586, issued to Osthues et al. on Sep. 15, 1998, shows a heat exchanger assembly including a first manifold extending along an axis between first manifold ends and including an inner wall presenting an interior. A fluid distribution device is disposed in the interior of the first manifold and includes an inlet tube extending along the axis from an inlet end to a distribution end. The inlet tube presents a plurality of apertures spaced from one another and spaced axially from the distribution end for dispensing the first fluid in a radial direction out of the inlet tube and into the interior of the first manifold.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides for a heat exchanger assembly wherein the fluid distribution device includes a collar surrounding and spaced radially from the inlet tube and extending axially in both directions axially from the apertures of the inlet tube for re-directing into an axial direction the refrigerant flowing in the radial direction out of the apertures to evenly distribute the first fluid across the interior of the first manifold.

The heat exchanger assembly improves on the prior art by distributing the first fluid across the interior of the first manifold more evenly. The improved fluid distribution device can be used over a broad range of heat exchanger sizes and operating points without sacrificing performance. In the prior art, low velocity, low flow rates of first fluid tend to reduce distribution of the first fluid to one end of the manifold, while high velocity, high flow rates tend to reduce distribution of the first fluid to the other end of the manifold. The improved fluid distribution device forces all of the fluid to exit the insert at a single position along the length. As it exits through the apertures, gaseous and liquid phases of the first fluid remix. After exiting in the radial direction, the collar directs the first fluid in the axial direction in the interior of the first manifold, resulting in uniform distribution of the first fluid. The resulting distribution is not dependent upon operating points or manifold length.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the heat exchanger assembly and showing the first and second manifolds being broken away;

FIG. 2 is a perspective and fragmentary view of the fluid distribution device; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid distribution device taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a heat exchanger assembly 20 for transferring heat between a first fluid and a second fluid is generally shown. The first fluid of the exemplary embodiment is a refrigerant, and the second fluid of the exemplary embodiment is a stream of air. It should be appreciated that other first and second fluids may be used.

The heat exchanger assembly 20 includes a first manifold 22 extending along an axis A between first manifold ends 24. The first manifold end 24 has an inner wall 26 having a first manifold diameter D_(M) and presenting an interior. The first manifold 22 presents a plurality of first tube slots 28 spaced from one another along the axis A. A second manifold 30 extends in spaced and parallel relationship with the first manifold 22 and presents a plurality of second tube slots 32 spaced from one another and aligned with the first tube slots 28 of the first manifold 22.

A heat exchanger core 34, generally indicated in FIG. 1, is disposed between the first and second manifolds 22, 30 and includes a plurality of tubes 36 extending into the aligned first and second tube slots 28, 32 for conveying the refrigerant from the first manifold 22 to the second manifold 30. The heat exchanger core 34 further includes a plurality of air fins 38 disposed between the tubes 36 for transferring heat between the refrigerant in the tubes 36 and the stream of air.

A fluid distribution device 40, generally shown in FIG. 2 and generally indicated in FIG. 3, is disposed in the interior of the first manifold 22. The fluid distribution device 40 includes an inlet tube 42 having a tube diameter D_(T) smaller than the first manifold diameter D_(M) and extending along the axis A from an inlet end 44 to a distribution end 46. The inlet end 44 of the inlet tube 42 of the fluid distribution device 40 is disposed adjacent to one of the first manifold ends 24 for receiving the refrigerant. The distribution end 46 of the inlet tube 42 is disposed axially between the first manifold ends 24 and is substantially closed for restricting the refrigerant from flowing axially out of the inlet tube 42 and for mixing the gaseous and liquid phases of the refrigerant. In other words, the distribution end 46 of the inlet tube 42 might have a small aperture allowing a small amount of refrigerant to flow axially out of the inlet tube 42. The inlet tube 42 of the fluid distribution device 40 defines at least one aperture 48 spaced axially from the distribution end 46 for dispensing the refrigerant in a radial direction out of the inlet tube 42 and into the interior of the first manifold 22. The exemplary embodiment shows the fluid distribution device 40 as having a plurality of apertures 48 spaced circumferentially from one another.

The fluid distribution device 40 further includes a collar 50 having a cylindrical shape surrounding the inlet tube 42. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the collar 50 is spaced radially between the inlet tube 42 and the inner wall 26 of the first manifold 22. The collar 50 extends axially in both directions axially from the apertures 48 of the inlet tube 42 for re-directing into an axial direction the refrigerant flowing in the radial direction out of the apertures 48 to evenly distribute the refrigerant across the interior of the first manifold 22. As best shown in FIG. 2, in the exemplary embodiment, the fluid distribution device 40 includes at least one spoke 52 extending in the radial direction from the inlet tube 42 to the collar 50 for supporting the collar 50 in the interior of the first manifold 22. It should be appreciated that the collar 50 can be held in place using other means including spokes 52 extending between the inner wall 26 of the first manifold 22 and the collar 50 (not shown).

In operation, the refrigerant enters the heat exchanger assembly 20 through the inlet tube 42 of the fluid distribution device 40. As shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerant flows axially through the inlet tube 42 until it reaches the closed distribution end 46. The closed distribution end 46 causes any gaseous and liquid phases to mix before the refrigerant flows in the radial direction out of the apertures 48 of the inlet tube 42. Upon exiting the inlet tube 42, the refrigerant is re-directed by the collar 50 into an axial direction toward one of the first manifold ends 24 so that the refrigerant is evenly distributed across the interior of the first manifold 22. The refrigerant is distributed evenly into the tubes 36 of the heat exchanger core 34, and the refrigerant flows through the tubes 36 to the second manifold 30. The refrigerant exits the exemplary embodiment heat exchanger assembly 20 through the second manifold 30.

It should be appreciated that the heat exchanger assembly 20 can be used as an evaporator, a condenser, or any other type of construction. Additionally, although the heat exchanger assembly 20 of the exemplary embodiment is a one-pass heat exchanger, the fluid distribution device 40 can also be used in a multi-pass heat exchanger assembly 20. The invention is also applicable to refrigerant to liquid heat exchangers where the second fluid is a liquid as opposed to a stream of air as shown in the exemplary embodiment.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A heat exchanger assembly for transferring heat between a first fluid and a second fluid, said assembly comprising: a first manifold extending along an axis between first manifold ends and including an inner wall presenting an interior; a fluid distribution device disposed in said interior of said first manifold and including an inlet tube extending along said axis from an inlet end to a distribution end; said inlet tube presenting at least one aperture for dispensing the first fluid in a radial direction out of said inlet tube and into said interior of said first manifold; and said fluid distribution device including a collar surrounding and spaced radially from said inlet tube and extending axially in both directions axially from said at least one aperture of said inlet tube for re-directing into an axial direction the first fluid flowing in said radial direction out of said at least one aperture to evenly distribute the first fluid across said interior of said first manifold.
 2. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 including at least one spoke extending in a radial direction from said inlet tube to said collar for supporting said collar in said interior of said first manifold.
 3. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said collar has a cylindrical shape and is spaced radially between said inlet tube and said inner wall of said first manifold.
 4. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said inlet end of said inlet tube of said fluid distribution device is disposed adjacent to one of said first manifold ends for receiving the first fluid.
 5. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said distribution end of said inlet tube is disposed axially between said first manifold ends and is closed for restricting the first fluid from flowing axially out of said inlet tube and for mixing gaseous and liquid phases of the first fluid.
 6. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first manifold has a first manifold diameter and wherein said inlet tube has a tube diameter smaller than said first manifold diameter.
 7. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including a second manifold extending in spaced and parallel relationship with said first manifold.
 8. The assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said first manifold presents a plurality of first tube slots spaced from one another along said axis and wherein said second manifold presents a plurality of second tube slots spaced from one another and aligned with said first tube slots of said first manifold.
 9. The assembly as set forth in claim 8 further including a heat exchanger core disposed between said first and second manifolds and including a plurality of tubes extending into said aligned first and second tube slots for conveying the first refrigerant from said first manifold to said second manifold.
 10. The assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said heat exchanger core includes a plurality of air fins disposed between said tubes for transferring heat between the first fluid in said tubes and the second fluid.
 11. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least one aperture is further defined as a plurality of apertures spaced circumferentially from one another.
 12. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least one aperture is spaced axially from said distribution end of said inlet tube.
 13. A fluid distribution device for distributing a first fluid in an axial direction, comprising: an inlet tube extending along an axis from an inlet end to a distribution end and presenting at least one aperture for dispensing the first fluid in a radial direction out of said inlet tube; and a collar surrounding and spaced radially from said inlet tube and extending axially in both directions axially from said at least one aperture of said inlet tube for re-directing into an axial direction the first fluid flowing in said radial direction out of said apertures.
 14. A heat exchanger assembly for transferring heat between a refrigerant having a gaseous phase and a liquid phase and a stream of air, said assembly comprising: a first manifold extending along an axis between first manifold ends and including an inner wall having a first manifold diameter and presenting an interior; a second manifold extending in spaced and parallel relationship with said first manifold; said first manifold presenting a plurality of first tube slots spaced from one another along said axis; said second manifold presenting a plurality of second tube slots spaced from one another and aligned with said first tube slots of said first manifold; a heat exchanger core disposed between said first and second manifolds and including a plurality of tubes extending into said aligned first and second tube slots for conveying the refrigerant from said first manifold to said second manifold; said heat exchanger core including a plurality of air fins disposed between said tubes for transferring heat between the refrigerant in said tubes and the stream of air; a fluid distribution device disposed in said interior of said first manifold and including an inlet tube having a tube diameter smaller than said first manifold diameter and extending along said axis from an inlet end to a distribution end for distributing the refrigerant evenly across said first tube slots of said first manifold; said inlet end of said inlet tube of said fluid distribution device being disposed adjacent to one of said first manifold ends for receiving the refrigerant; said distribution end of said inlet tube being disposed axially between said first manifold ends and being closed for restricting the refrigerant from flowing axially out of said inlet tube and for mixing the gaseous and liquid phases of the refrigerant; said inlet tube defining a plurality of apertures spaced circumferentially from one another and spaced axially from said distribution end for dispensing the refrigerant in a radial direction out of said inlet tube and into said interior of said first manifold; said fluid distribution device including a collar having cylindrical shape surrounding said inlet tube and spaced radially between said inlet tube and said inner wall of said first manifold and extending axially in both directions axially from said apertures of said inlet tube for re-directing into an axial direction the refrigerant flowing in said radial direction out of said apertures to evenly distribute the refrigerant across said interior of said first manifold; and said fluid distribution device including at least one spoke extending in said radial direction from said inlet tube to said collar for supporting said collar in said interior of said first manifold. 